Iron Maiden has been forced to cancel a number of European dates after guitarist Janick Gers injured his head in an onstage fall at a concert Saturday night.

A spokesperson for Maiden said that Gers fell from the front of the stage during the band's July 8 show in Mannheim, Germany. The guitarist dropped some ten feet to the venue's floor, leaving him unconscious and bleeding from his forehead. Gers also sprained his back and suffered additional bruising, and he received six stitches at a local hospital.

Gers has been ordered to rest for at least a week and is currently recovering in London. As a result, Maiden has had to cancel shows in Essen, Germany; Sophia, Bulgaria; and Athens, Greece. The injury is not expected to change the band's plans to kick off its North American tour on August 1 in Toronto with Rob Halford and Queensrÿche (see "Iron Maiden Taps Halford, Queensrÿche For Tour").

"We are

always very disappointed when we are forced to cancel shows in this way, but we are also relieved that Janick is recovering, as it was a serious fall," Maiden bassist Steve Harris said in a statement announcing the cancellations. "We were all very concerned for him when he was taken away in the ambulance. Right now all we can say is sorry to our fans in Germany, Bulgaria, and Greece, but I'm sure they can understand the reason and will also wish Janick a quick recovery."

If you want to wish Janick well when the band hits the States, here's where to catch them: